Trojan going to fourth state tourney

Sunday

Feb 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Jessica Rodriguez is in the history books.

Dave Campbell

STOCKTON - Jessica Rodriguez is in the history books.

The 143-pound senior from Lincoln became the first female wrestler to win four section championships as she finished the Sac-Joaquin/Northern Section Girls Wrestling Championship with four consecutive pins to bring home the gold medal Saturday at McNair High.

"I was sure hoping I could get that fourth one," Rodriguez said. "I put myself under a lot of pressure because I knew this was my senior year."

Tokay won the team title with 128 points, the first team other than Vallejo-Jesse Bethel or American Canyon to win in the five-year history of the tournament. Rod Gaines is retiring after 35 years as the Tigers' coach, and this is his first section banner.

"This is the first year that we have really had a girls program," Gaines said. "George Bozovich is really the guy who put it together. We had 41 girls to start and they worked hard all year."

Alyssa Cantu (189 pounds) became the first Weston Ranch wrestler to bring home a section gold medal, doing so with three pins in a row.

"I am proud to be the first wrestler from Weston Ranch to win a section title," Cantu said. "And this was a pretty tough tournament."

Two Tokay freshmen finished first - Tokay's Madison Bozovich (150) and Marlene Hernandez (235). Bozovich did it with the fastest pin in the finals in 1 minute, 11 seconds.

"I approached this like it was any other tournament," Bozovich said. "I am just a freshman and I really didn't expect much of myself, but I kind of surprised myself - and maybe everyone else, too."

Hernandez held on for a 4-2 decision over Hiram Johnson's RaeAnne Gutierrez.

"I knew that all the hard work would pay off," Hernandez said. "I have been through a lot this year, but this feels good."

McKenzie Bacich of Bear Creek got a reversal followed by a pin in the second period to win the 101-pound division over Gabriella Garcia of Golden Valley.

"She is a really good when she is on top," Bacich said. "But her head was down and I was able to reach for it and get the pin."

Jasmine Ivey of Lathrop came up short against Napa's Maggie Douma in the 137 finals, losing 9-4.

"This is my third time wrestling her," Ivey said. "And every time I get a little better. I hope to see her at state."